The Global Cosmopolitan Mindset: Lessons from the New Global Leaders

by Linda Brimm

A growing number of people in the world have embraced globalization and actively seek opportunities to live, study, and work in other cultures. Highly talented and deeply motivated, they have been shaped by the new political/economic opportunities, technological realities and personal choices that have configured their lives. They are the Global Cosmopolitans. Professor Linda Brimm, whose last book, Global The Creative Edge of Difference, defined and named this phenomenon, now introduces the Global Cosmopolitan Mindset and Skillset and examines what are the dilemmas and opportunities of composing a global life over time. Dr. Brimm has interviewed Global Cosmopolitans at different life stages and has garnered insights from those on the front line of the global economy. She describes how they understand the life dilemmas and opportunities implicit in navigating the rapidly changing global environment and how they learn from the lives they are creating. While these are people using the expertise developed over their global journey to manage change, lead organizations, make a difference in the world, or create their own ventures, she helps us understand what they have learned and how this global learning opportunity has contributed to the development of a Global Cosmopolitan Mindset and Skillset. This book relates some of the stories that global leaders and entrepreneurs have shared with Dr. Brimm. These concrete examples help us understand what the individuals have learned from their personal experience. Emerging from these stories are the unique attitudes and skills that are necessary to confront life challenges, embrace change and take steps to create new life chapters. Whether you are a Millennial considering joining this ‘Cosmopolitan Club’, an existing Global Cosmopolitan reflecting on what is next, someone in mid-career contemplating an international move, part of an organization trying to develop its responses to a global workforce, or a leader considering who can best run global organizations, this book provides a unique insight into the Global Cosmopolitan Mindset and Skillset – as well as the challenges and rewards of pursuing a global life.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 28, 2018

Reviews

[Sophia Exintaris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narration could have benefitted from more storytelling, if stories are the point. Or more obvious internal structure, if this is meant to be read more like an article or a thesis.

Sadly, while I find the topic fascinating and belong to the Global Cosmopolitan tribe myself, I had a very tough time sticking with the book.

A significant challenge was that every single story with maybe a single exception across the entirety of the book involved a wife or husband and children. Being single and in my 40s, this gap in representation made it very difficult to me to relate to any of the stories being recounted. The focus of every single story was balancing out the careers of the two people in the couple.

By the end of the book I was glad it was over. Had the book been any longer it would have ended up on the pile of things I will not finish, in very poor company indeed!

Not sure why I’m not giving it just one star. Perhaps because I can see the work that went into it, the good intentions of the author, along with her career track. It’s a solid effort, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Whereas the first book (global cosmopolitans, the creative edge of difference), I definitely would recommend.

It’s a bit like what my french prof told me when I was 16 and wrote my first dissertation (it’s a specific format in french school). “Like the great student that she is, she has done an excellent and consistent job... but completely missed the point of what this was supposed to be”.

[Elizabeth Di cioccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting topic about global living that seemed relevant and immediately captured my interest, but the book lacked substance overall. Topics were presented in a banal and predicable way, and I hoped for something that would have been more thought provoking.

[Vinh-Thang]

At last, the sequel to my FAVORITE book of all times :)